Martin Plowman

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Martin Plowman
Plowman at the 2013 6 Hours of Silverstone
NationalityUnited Kingdom British
Born (1987-10-03) 3 October 1987 (age 36)
Tamworth, Staffordshire, England
British GT career
Debut season2015
Current teamPaddock Motorsport
Racing licence FIA Gold
Car number11
Previous series
2013
2012
2011
2009–10
2008
2006–07
2006–07		FIA WEC
American Le Mans Series
IndyCar Series
Firestone Indy Lights
Formula Three Euroseries
Formula Renault 2.0 Italia
Formula Renault Eurocup
Championship titles
2013
2019		FIA WEC LMP2 class
2019 British GT Championship GT4 Pro-Am Class

Martin Plowman (born 3 October 1987) is a British professional racing driver from Tamworth currently competing in the British GT Championship for Paddock Motorsport, which he co-founded with Kelvin Fletcher. In 2013, he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMP2 class[1] and was 2013 FIA WEC World Champion in the LMP2 class for drivers and teams.[2]

Racing career[edit]

Early career[edit]

After several extremely successful years in karting, Toyota signed Plowman to a 10-year contract to their young driver program. He made his professional debut in 2006 driving in Italian Formula Renault for Prema Powerteam, finishing 5th in the Italian Series, claiming rookie of the year.

He returned to the same team and series in 2007, finishing joint 7th with Team-Mate Henkie Waldscmidt in Italian Formula Renault. A disappointing end to the campaign for the Prema Powerteam after holding 1–2 in the championship halfway through the season. Plowman was dropped from the Toyota young driver program at the end of 2007.

In 2008 Plowman became an official Volkswagen junior driver where he was assigned to the newly re-formed RC Motorsport team and drove in the first seven rounds (14 races) of the Formula Three Euroseries where he failed to score any points and only managed a best finish of 17th. He also drove in the Masters of Formula 3 with Signature-Plus where he finished 14th.

Indy Lights[edit]

In 2009 Plowman signed to drive for Panther Racing in the American Firestone Indy Lights series, the feeder series to IndyCars. Martin finished 11th in the points standings in his inaugural season with Panther Racing, while achieving two top five finishes and eight top ten finishes.

After the 2009 season, Martin signed on board with AFS-Andretti Autosport to compete with teammate Charlie Kimball in the 2010 Indy Lights season. Plowman won from the pole to capture his first victory at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. He captured another pole two races later at Chicagoland Speedway but was knocked after making contact with former teammate Pippa Mann while leading the race. He finished third in the championship, one spot ahead of Kimball.

IndyCar Series[edit]

In 2011 Plowman made his IndyCar Series debut with Sam Schmidt Motorsports as a part of their partnership with AFS Racing. Plowman competed in the events at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Infineon Raceway, and the Baltimore Grand Prix, driving the number 17 car featuring the logo of Snowball Express, a volunteer organisation created to assist the children of military personnel who have died while on active duty since the 9/11 attacks.[3][4] [5] In each event, Plowman improved upon his starting position and upon his previous results, culminating in a near top-10 finish at the Baltimore Grand Prix. In the off-season, he has continued his involvement with Snowball Express, speaking to military families and touring with a show car.

American LeMans Series[edit]

On 24 February 2012, the Conquest Endurance racing team announced Plowman, David Heinemeier Hansson, and Francesco Dracone as co-drivers for the team's brand new entry in the LMP2 division of the American LeMans Series for the 2012 season. The number 37 Judd-powered, Morgan-badged car debuted at the 60th Anniversary running of the 12 Hours of Sebring on 17 March 2012.[6] The team finished 3rd in the ALMS P2 class (44th overall), despite having to replace Dracone with Jan Heylen just 12 hours before the race due to illness.[7] On 10 April 2012, the team announced a partnership with Nissan North America to supply engines for the No. 37 car for the remainder of the season, beginning at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.[8] Plowman and Heinemeier Hansson achieved their first P2 class pole and victory (3rd place overall) at the Grand Prix of Mosport on 22 July 2012. This was also the first victory for the Conquest Endurance team in ALMS competition.

FIA World Endurance Championship[edit]

After the 2012 season, Conquest Endurance ended its participation in the ALMS.

2013 season
See also: 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship season

For 2013, Plowman and his Conquest co-driver Heinemeier Hansson were both hired by OAK Racing to drive Morgan-Nissans in the LMP2 class on the FIA World Endurance Championship. Plowman shares the number 35 entry with co-drivers Bertrand Baguette and Ricardo González.

The 2013 season started at the 6 Hours of Silverstone, the OAK Racing Morgan LMP2-Nissan No. 35 finished in fourth place (twelfth overall), to get their first 10 points for the World Championship.[9]

On the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, González, Baguette and Plowman finished in third position (for cars registered for points in the FIA World Endurance Championship), of LMP2 class (eleventh overall).[10]

Plowman winner of 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans edition.

In 2013 Plowman and his co-drivers Ricardo González and Bertrand Baguette from OAK Racing Morgan LMP2-Nissan team, won the 81st edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in LMP2 class (seventh overall). Their Morgan LMP2 covered a total of 329 laps in the Circuit de la Sarthe. The race was run in very difficult weather conditions and several serious accidents bringing out a record of twelve safety car caution periods.[1][11][12]

The 6 Hours of São Paulo were held at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, on 30 August – 1 September. González, Baguette and Plowman got the second place of LMP2 category, only behind Oreca 03-Nissan team (Rusinov, Martin and Conway). With this result the British driver got his second podium of the year.[13]

In the fifth round of 2013 season were the 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on 20–22 September. González, Baguette and Plowman obtained the seventh place of LMP2 category (eleventh overall).[14]

On 18–20 October, in the 6 hours of Fuji, following a two-hour delay the race was restarted once more under the safety car, lapping another eight circuits before officials stopped the race again and eventually called an end to the event. The No. 35 OAK Morgan-Nissan (Baguette, González and Plowman), started in the pole position and was declared the race winner of LMP2 class (fourth overall), in the same position they started. Due to difficult weather conditions half points will be awarded for all the teams and drivers in the event.[15][16][17]

During the 6 Hours of Shanghai on 8–9 November, the No. 35 OAK Morgan-Nissan trio (Baguette, González and Plowman), qualified in fourth position and finished in third place (7th overall). With this new podium the French team extend their lead on 15 points to the final race of the championship.[18][19][20]

On the last race of the season the 6 Hours of Bahrain on 29–30 November, González, Baguette and Plowman qualified in sixth place and finished in fourth position (sixth overall). Therefore, Plowman won the 2013 FIA WEC World Championship for drivers and teams in LMP2 class.[2][20][21][22]

British GT[edit]

Plowman first raced in British GT in 2015. [23] In 2017, he joined the series full-time, partnering Kelvin Fletcher in a Nissan GT4, who has remained his co-driver ever since.[24] Plowman and Fletcher won the GT4 Pro-Am title in 2019, before sitting out the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic. [25]

In 2021, the pair returned with JRM but then switched to Paddock Motorsport, a team founded by Plowman and Fletcher, already competing in the BRSCC's Mazda MX5 Championship and the GT Cup Championship. With Plowman being both driver and team principal, the team expanded in 2022 to run cars in both GT3 and GT4. [26]

In the Oulton Park round of the 2022 season, Plowman and Fletcher took their first overall win in British GT; the Paddock Motorsport team would also manage their first GT4 win in the season finale at Donington Park as Moh Ritson and Kavi Jundu won the GT4 Pro-Am class.

Racing record[edit]

Complete Formula 3 Euro Series results[edit]

(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 DC Points
2008 RC Motorsport Dallara F308/051 Volkswagen HOC
1
17 		HOC
2
Ret 		MUG
1
Ret 		MUG
2
23 		PAU
1
Ret 		PAU
2
Ret 		NOR
1
Ret 		NOR
2
Ret 		ZAN
1
20 		ZAN
2
17 		NÜR
1
17 		NÜR
2
21 		BRH
1
18 		BRH
2
22 		CAT
1 		CAT
2 		LMS
1 		LMS
2 		HOC
1 		HOC
2 		31st 0

American open–wheel racing results[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Indy Lights results[edit]

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Rank Points
2009 Panther Racing STP
15 		STP
16 		LBH
15 		KAN
5 		INDY
22 		MIL
15 		IOW
8 		WGL
10 		TOR
12 		EDM
13 		KTY
9 		MDO
5 		SNM
10 		CHI
8 		HMS
7 		11th 298
2010 AFS Racing
Andretti Autosport 		STP
6 		ALA
4 		LBH
5 		INDY
5 		IOW
2 		WGL
4 		TOR
7 		EDM
3 		MDO
1 		SNM
16 		CHI
13 		KTY
7 		HMS
6 		3rd 392

IndyCar Series[edit]

Year Team Chassis No. Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Rank Points Ref
2011 Sam Schmidt Motorsports Dallara
IR-05 		17 Honda STP ALA LBH SAO INDY TXS TXS MIL IOW TOR EDM MDO
18 		NHM SNM
12 		BAL
11 		MOT KTY LVS1
C 		33rd 49 [27]
2014 A. J. Foyt Enterprises Dallara DW12 41 Honda STP LBH ALA IMS
18 		INDY
23 		DET DET TXS HOU HOU POC IOW TOR TOR MDO MIL SNM FON 34th 18 [28]
1 The Las Vegas Indy 300 was abandoned after Dan Wheldon died from injuries sustained in a 15-car crash on lap 11.

Indianapolis 500[edit]

Year Chassis Engine Start Finish Team
2014 Dallara Honda 32 23 A. J. Foyt Enterprises

Complete American Le Mans Series results[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Class Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Rank Points
2012 Conquest Endurance P2 Morgan LMP2 Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8 SEB
9 		LBH
2 		MON
2 		LIM
2 		MOS
1 		MID
2 		AME
1 		BAL
Ret 		VIR
2 		PET
DSQ 		2nd 156

Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Class Car Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rank Points
2013 OAK Racing LMP2 Morgan LMP2 Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8 SIL
4 		SPA
3 		LMS
1 		SÃO
2 		COA
7 		FUJ
1 		SHA
3 		BHR
4 		1st 141.5

24 Hours of Le Mans results[edit]

Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
2013 France OAK Racing Belgium Bertrand Baguette
Mexico Ricardo González 		Morgan LMP2-Nissan LMP2 329 7th 1st

Complete British GT Championship results[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Car Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 DC Points
2015 UltraTek Racing Lotus Evora GT4 GT4 OUL
1
22 		OUL
2
21 		ROC
1 		SIL
1 		SPA
1 		BRH
1 		SNE
1 		SNE
2 		DON
1 		28th 1
2016 Stratton Motorsport Lotus Evora GT4 GT4 BRH
1 		ROC
1 		OUL
1 		OUL
2 		SIL
1 		SPA
1 		SNE
1
Ret 		SNE
2
Ret 		DON
1
Ret 		NC 0
2017 Team RJN Nissan with UltraTek Nissan 370Z GT4 GT4 OUL
1
24 		OUL
2
16 		ROC
1
20 		SNE
1
21 		SNE
2
20 		SIL
1
Ret 		SPA
1
18 		SPA
2
20 		BRH
1
25 		DON
1
Ret 		20th 17.5
2018 UltraTek Racing / Team RJN Nissan 370Z GT4 GT4 OUL
1
32 		OUL
2
17 		ROC
1
13 		SNE
1
22 		SNE
2
22 		SIL
1
19 		SPA
1
20 		BRH
1
10 		DON
1
Ret 		9th 65.5
2019 Beechdean AMR Aston Martin Vantage GT4 GT4 OUL
1
18 		OUL
2
17 		SNE
1
21 		SNE
2
19 		SIL
1
14 		DON
1
20 		SPA
1
23 		BRH
1
17 		DON
1
15 		5th 98.5
2021 JRM Racing Bentley Continental GT3 GT3 BRH
1
7 		11th 59.5
Paddock Motorsport SIL
1
25 		DON
1
7 		SPA
1 		SNE
1
2 		SNE
2
8 		OUL
1
9 		OUL
2
9 		DON
1
10
2022 Paddock Motorsport McLaren 720S GT3 GT3 OUL
1
15 		OUL
2
3 		SIL
1
9 		DON
1
11 		SNE
1
15 		SNE
2
15 		SPA
1
7 		BRH
1
21 		DON
1
Ret 		17th 36
2023 Paddock Motorsport McLaren 720S GT3 GT3 OUL
1
9 		OUL
2
8 		SIL
1
17 		DON
1
10 		SNE
1
12 		SNE
2
10 		ALG
1
12 		BRH
1
9 		DON
1
9 		20th 14.5
2024 Paddock Motorsport McLaren 720S GT3 Evo GT3 OUL
1
16 		OUL
2
10 		SIL
1
 DON
1
 SPA
1
 SNE
1
 SNE
2
 DON
1
 BRH
1
 13th* 1*

* Season still in progress.

Complete Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup results[edit]

Year Team Car Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pos. Points
2016 Garage 59 McLaren 650S GT3 Pro MIS
QR
Ret 		MIS
CR
26 		BRH
QR
32 		BRH
CR
25 		NÜR
QR
Ret 		NÜR
CR
Ret 		HUN
QR
23 		HUN
CR
Ret 		CAT
QR
19 		CAT
CR
21 		NC 0

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Race – Final Classification" (PDF). Automobile Club de l'Ouest. 23 June 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Toyota wins WEC finale in Bahrain with Buemi, Davidson, Sarrazin". Autosport. 30 November 2013.
  3. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ "Plowman gets rolling with Snowball Express". www.indycar.com. 2 August 2011. Archived from the original on 16 September 2011.
  6. ^ Weeks, James (27 February 2012). "Plowman makes sportscar switch with Conquest". motorstv.com. Motors TV. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  7. ^ "2012 Sebring 12: ALMS / Le Mans Race Recap – Conquest Endurance". PaddockTalk.com. 18 March 2012. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012.
  8. ^ "Conquest Endurance Racing". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  9. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 August 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ^ "WEC 6 Hours of Spa−Francorchamps > Results and chrono". Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  11. ^ "Statistiques 24ème Heure / 24th Hour Statistics" (PDF). Automobile Club de l'Ouest. 23 June 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  12. ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours: Kristensen, McNish, Duval clinch Audi victory". Autosport. 23 June 2013.
  13. ^ "Results and chrono WEC 6 hours of Sao Paulo". Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  14. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. ^ Watkins, Gary (20 October 2013). "Fuji WEC: Toyota gets victory as rain ends race". Autosport. Haymarket Press. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  16. ^ "6 Hours of Fuji > Results and chrono". Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  17. ^ "Fuji WEC: Toyota gets victory as rain ends race". Autosport. 20 October 2013.
  18. ^ "6 Hours of Shanghai > Results and chrono". Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  19. ^ "Shanghai WEC: Audi's McNish, Kristensen, Duval claim 2013 title". Autosport. 9 November 2013.
  20. ^ a b "Classification | FIA World Endurance Championship". Archived from the original on 3 December 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  21. ^ "Results and chrono WEC 6 hours of Bahrain". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  22. ^ "PLOWMAN: Bahrain Debrief – Sportscar365". 4 December 2013.
  23. ^ "Paddock Motorsport | Drivers".
  24. ^ "Martin Plowman".
  25. ^ "Fletcher and Plowman withdraw from 2020 British GT season". 17 July 2020.
  26. ^ "Paddock expands British GT commitment with multi-class McLaren programme". 30 March 2022.
  27. ^ "Martin Plowman – 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  28. ^ "Martin Plowman – 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 1 August 2023.

External links[edit]

Sporting positions
Preceded by
Inaugural
 FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP2 Drivers
Champion
2013
With: Bertrand Baguette & Ricardo González 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Scott Malvern
Nick Jones
 British GT Championship
GT4 Pro-Am Champion
2019
With: Kelvin Fletcher 		Succeeded by
Mia Flewitt
Euan Hankey
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